Kyoto University Japan CSEAS Fellowship

The CSEAS Fellowship is a visiting scholarship program run by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University. Its stated purpose is to promote research activities in and on the region by distinguished scholars.

Applicants may include scholars and other professionals working on comparative and regional issues from a multi-area perspective, and those interested in spending time in Kyoto, Japan for research and scholarly work connected to their field of study. Up to five fellowships become available in each call, including one librarian position.

Selection is competitive. Applicants apply via an online form and submit required materials by email in PDF format. Successful applicants are notified of their application status by the end of July.

Fellowships are between a period of three to six months. Successful applicants receive an appropriate stipend to cover international travel and living expenses in Kyoto, and research funds to facilitate work. Domestic travel funds may be provided subject to government regulations. Visiting Research Scholars are considered employees of Kyoto University and must follow some of its regulations, and fellows are expected to reside in Kyoto for the duration and deliver a public lecture during their term.

• Applicants must be accomplished scholars of high standing.
• Applicants must be under 65 years of age at the time of fellowship appointment.
• Applicants who are over 65 may be considered only in exceptional cases.
• Applicants who do not hold a PhD are ineligible unless, prior to submitting an application, they have obtained approval from a CSEAS faculty member to serve as their counterpart.
• The fellowship is not open to individuals who are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program.
• The fellowship is not open to individuals engaged in postdoctoral studies.
• Only experienced librarians are eligible to apply for the library position.
• Scholars who have previously held a CSEAS fellowship may reapply only after six have passed since the completion of their fellowship.

• An appropriate stipend to cover international travel and living expenses in Kyoto.
• Research funds to facilitate work.
• Funds allocated for domestic travel, subject to government regulations.

1. Submit an application via the online form.
2. Attach required documents separately to the online application as described.
3. Send the files in PDF format by email to [email protected].
4. Ensure the application includes: a curriculum vitae, a research plan for the fellowship term, and two recommendation letters.
5. Ask referees to send recommendation letters to CSEAS via email; letters must be written on the referee’s institution’s letterhead.

• A curriculum vitae (must not exceed 5 pages and must include a list of all major publications).
• A research plan for the fellowship term (a concise overview of the research project for the stay at CSEAS within 2 pages, using double spacing and including paragraph descriptions; a form must be downloaded and used).
• Two recommendation letters (sent to CSEAS by email; written on the referee’s institution’s letterhead).